The scientist who invented "Brain Age," a popular mental training game for the Nintendo DS, has discovered that riding motorcycles can improve cognitive function. Ryuta Kawashima partnered with Yamaha Japan and Tohoku University to study the effects of motorcycle riding on middle-aged men, finding, "In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low. Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing.">

22 men in their 40s and 50s who had motorcycle licenses but had notridden for at least a decade were used for the study. Half were made toride a motorcycle everyday for two months, while the other half wereforbidden to. The two groups were given a series of tests before andafter that period. "The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marksin cognitive function tests," Kawashima said.

One test had the group attempt to remember a set of numbers in reverseorder. The motorcyclists improved their scores by more than 50% afterthe two months while the non-riders' scores decreased marginally. Themotorcyclists also reported making fewer mistakes at work and generallyfeeling "happier."

Because riding a motorcycle requires a high level of alertness andrapid problem solving, Kawashima found, "the driver's brain getsactivated by riding motorbikes." He went on to conclude, "Mental careis a very big issue in modern society. I think we made an interestingstir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simplyby using motorbikes to commute."